Ans

1. AUTONOMIC AUTONOMIC
NERVOUS SYSTEMNERVOUS SYSTEM
Prof. Vajira WeerasingheProf. Vajira Weerasinghe
Dept of PhysiologyDept of Physiology

4. 4
Autonomic nervous systemAutonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is the The autonomic nervous system is the
subdivision of the peripheral nervous subdivision of the peripheral nervous
system that regulates body activities that system that regulates body activities that
are generally not under conscious controlare generally not under conscious control

5. Autonomic (visceral motor)
autonomic
somatic
this dorsal
root ganglion
is sensory
Somatic motor

6. Difference between somatic Difference between somatic
motor and autonomic motor motor and autonomic motor
►Somatic motor:Somatic motor:
Cell bodies of motor neurons reside in CNS (brain or Cell bodies of motor neurons reside in CNS (brain or
spinal cord)spinal cord)
Their axons (sheathed in spinal nerves) extend all the Their axons (sheathed in spinal nerves) extend all the
way to their skeletal musclesway to their skeletal muscles
Fast neural transmission Fast neural transmission
►Autonomic system: chains of two neuronsAutonomic system: chains of two neurons
11
stst
= preganglionic neuron (in brain or cord) = preganglionic neuron (in brain or cord)
22
ndnd
= postgangionic neuron (cell body in ganglion outside = postgangionic neuron (cell body in ganglion outside
CNS)CNS)
Slower because lightly or unmyelinatedSlower because lightly or unmyelinated
6

7. 7
►Axon of 1Axon of 1
stst
( (preganglionicpreganglionic) neuron leaves ) neuron leaves
CNS to synapse with the 2CNS to synapse with the 2
ndnd

((postganglionicpostganglionic) neuron) neuron
►Axon of 2Axon of 2
ndnd
( (postganglionicpostganglionic) neuron ) neuron
extends to the organ it servesextends to the organ it serves
Diagram contrasts somatic (lower) and autonomic:
autonomic
somatic
Note: the autonomic ganglion is motor
this dorsal
root ganglion
is sensory

8. Divisions of the autonomic nervous systemDivisions of the autonomic nervous system
►Parasympathetic divisionParasympathetic division
►Sympathetic divisionSympathetic division
Serve most of the same organs but Serve most of the same organs but
cause opposing or antagonistic cause opposing or antagonistic
effectseffects
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral

9. 9
Where they come fromWhere they come from
Parasympathetic:
craniosacral
Sympathetic:
thoracolumbar

10. 10
Sympathetic nervous systemSympathetic nervous system
“fight or flight”“fight or flight”
►Also called Also called thoracolumbarthoracolumbar system: all its neurons system: all its neurons
are in lateral horn of gray matter from T1-L2are in lateral horn of gray matter from T1-L2
►Lead to every part of the body (unlike parasymp.) Lead to every part of the body (unlike parasymp.)
Easy to remember that when nervous, you sweat; when Easy to remember that when nervous, you sweat; when
afraid, hair stands on end; when excited blood pressure afraid, hair stands on end; when excited blood pressure
rises (vasoconstriction): these sympathetic onlyrises (vasoconstriction): these sympathetic only
Also causes: dry mouth, pupils to dilate, increased heart Also causes: dry mouth, pupils to dilate, increased heart
& respiratory rates to increase O2 to skeletal muscles, & respiratory rates to increase O2 to skeletal muscles,
and liver to release glucoseand liver to release glucose
►NorepinephrineNorepinephrine (noradrenaline) is (noradrenaline) is
neurotransmitter released by most postganglionic neurotransmitter released by most postganglionic
fibers (acetylcholine in preganglionic): “adrenergic”fibers (acetylcholine in preganglionic): “adrenergic”

11. 11
Sympathetic Sympathetic

12. 12
Parasympathetic nervous systemParasympathetic nervous system
“rest & digest”“rest & digest”
►Also called the Also called the craniosacralcraniosacral system system
because all its preganglionic neurons are because all its preganglionic neurons are
in the brain stem or sacral levels of the in the brain stem or sacral levels of the
spinal cordspinal cord
Cranial nerves III,VII, IX and XCranial nerves III,VII, IX and X
In lateral horn of gray matter from S2-S4In lateral horn of gray matter from S2-S4
►Only innervate internal organs (not skin)Only innervate internal organs (not skin)
►AcetylcholineAcetylcholine is neurotransmitter at end is neurotransmitter at end
organ as well as at preganglionic synapse: organ as well as at preganglionic synapse:
“cholinergic”“cholinergic”

13. 13
Parasympathetic continuedParasympathetic continued
►Cranial outflowCranial outflow
III - pupils constrictIII - pupils constrict
VII - tears, nasal mucus, salivaVII - tears, nasal mucus, saliva
IX – parotid salivary glandIX – parotid salivary gland
X (Vagus n) – visceral organs of thorax & abdomen:X (Vagus n) – visceral organs of thorax & abdomen:
►Stimulates digestive glandsStimulates digestive glands
►Increases motility of smooth muscle of digestive tractIncreases motility of smooth muscle of digestive tract
►Decreases heart rateDecreases heart rate
►Causes bronchial constrictionCauses bronchial constriction
►Sacral outflow (S2-4): form pelvic splanchnic nervesSacral outflow (S2-4): form pelvic splanchnic nerves
Supply 2Supply 2
ndnd
half of large intestine half of large intestine
Supply all the pelvic (genitourinary) organsSupply all the pelvic (genitourinary) organs

14. 14
Parasympathetic Parasympathetic

15. Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters
►Somatic = all motor neurons release ACH Somatic = all motor neurons release ACH
which is always stimulatorywhich is always stimulatory
►Visceral = ACH & norepinephrineVisceral = ACH & norepinephrine
All All prepreganglionicganglionic fibers release ACH fibers release ACH
AllAll postpostganglionicganglionic PsNSPsNS fibers release ACH fibers release ACH
Most postganglionic SNS fibers release Most postganglionic SNS fibers release
norepinorepi
Can be stimulatory or inhibitory based Can be stimulatory or inhibitory based
on receptor typeson receptor types

16. Comparison of Sympathetic and Comparison of Sympathetic and
parasympathetic Systemsparasympathetic Systems

17. Divisions of the ANSDivisions of the ANS
►Sympathetic NSSympathetic NS
►Parasymathetic Parasymathetic
NSNS
►Dual innervationDual innervation
Opposing effects on the Opposing effects on the
same organsame organ
►SNS is usually SNS is usually
stimulatory (fight or flight)stimulatory (fight or flight)
►PsNS is usually inhibitory PsNS is usually inhibitory
(body maint. & (body maint. &
conservation of Econservation of E

18. Sympathetic nervous Sympathetic nervous
systemsystem
►The sympathetic division is the The sympathetic division is the “fight-or-flight”“fight-or-flight” system system
►Involves Involves EE activities – exercise, excitement, emergency, activities – exercise, excitement, emergency,
and embarrassmentand embarrassment
►Non-essential activities are dampened (GI/urinary)Non-essential activities are dampened (GI/urinary)
►Promotes adjustments during exercise – blood flow to Promotes adjustments during exercise – blood flow to
organs is reduced, flow to muscles is increasedorgans is reduced, flow to muscles is increased
►Its activity is illustrated by a person who is threatenedIts activity is illustrated by a person who is threatened
Heart rate increases, and breathing is rapid and deepHeart rate increases, and breathing is rapid and deep
The skin is cold and sweaty, and the pupils dilateThe skin is cold and sweaty, and the pupils dilate
Bronchioles dilate…increasing ventilation, delivering more oxygen Bronchioles dilate…increasing ventilation, delivering more oxygen
to cellsto cells
Constriction of visceral & cutaneous bv’s (blood is shunted to Constriction of visceral & cutaneous bv’s (blood is shunted to
skeletal mm)skeletal mm)
Liver releases more glucose into blood to provide more readily Liver releases more glucose into blood to provide more readily
avail. Eavail. E
Targets adipocytes for lipolysisTargets adipocytes for lipolysis

19. Parasympathetic nervous systemParasympathetic nervous system
►Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Digestion, Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Digestion,
DefecationDefecation
►Most active in non-stressful situationsMost active in non-stressful situations
►Concerned with keeping body energy use lowConcerned with keeping body energy use low
►Lenses of eyes accommodated for near visionLenses of eyes accommodated for near vision
►Its activity is illustrated in a person who relaxes Its activity is illustrated in a person who relaxes
after a mealafter a meal
Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rates are Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rates are
lowlow
Gastrointestinal tract activity is highGastrointestinal tract activity is high
The skin is warm and the pupils are constrictedThe skin is warm and the pupils are constricted

20. Differences Differences
Ach (N)
Ach (N) Ach (M)
Nor
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
Adre

21. Neurotransmitters and ReceptorsNeurotransmitters and Receptors
►Acetylcholine (ACh) and norepinephrine (NE) are the Acetylcholine (ACh) and norepinephrine (NE) are the
two major neurotransmitters of the ANStwo major neurotransmitters of the ANS
►ACh is released by all preganglionic axons and all ACh is released by all preganglionic axons and all
parasympathetic postganglionic axonsparasympathetic postganglionic axons
►Cholinergic fibersCholinergic fibers – ACh-releasing fibers – ACh-releasing fibers
►Adrenergic fibersAdrenergic fibers – sympathetic postganglionic – sympathetic postganglionic
axons that release NE axons that release NE
►Neurotransmitter effects can be excitatory or inhibitory Neurotransmitter effects can be excitatory or inhibitory
depending upon the receptor typedepending upon the receptor type

22. Cholinergic ReceptorsCholinergic Receptors
►The two types of receptors that bind The two types of receptors that bind
ACh are ACh are nicotinicnicotinic and and muscarinicmuscarinic
►These are named after drugs that bind These are named after drugs that bind
to them and mimic ACh effectsto them and mimic ACh effects

23. Nicotinic Receptors (cholinergic)Nicotinic Receptors (cholinergic)
►Nicotinic receptors are found on:Nicotinic receptors are found on:
Motor end plates (somatic targets)Motor end plates (somatic targets)
All ganglionic neurons of both sympathetic All ganglionic neurons of both sympathetic
and parasympathetic divisionsand parasympathetic divisions
The hormone-producing cells of the The hormone-producing cells of the
adrenal medullaadrenal medulla
►The effect of ACh binding to nicotinic The effect of ACh binding to nicotinic
receptors is receptors is always stimulatoryalways stimulatory

24. Muscarinic Receptors Muscarinic Receptors
(cholinergic) (cholinergic)
►Muscarinic receptors occur on all effector Muscarinic receptors occur on all effector
cells stimulated by postganglionic cells stimulated by postganglionic
cholinergic fiberscholinergic fibers
►The effect of ACh binding: The effect of ACh binding:
Can be either inhibitory or excitatoryCan be either inhibitory or excitatory
Depends on the receptor typeDepends on the receptor type of the of the
target organtarget organ

25. Adrenergic ReceptorsAdrenergic Receptors
►The two types of adrenergic receptors are alpha The two types of adrenergic receptors are alpha
and betaand beta
►Each type has two or three subclasses Each type has two or three subclasses
((aa
11, , aa
22, , bb
11, , bb
2 2 , , bb
33))
►Effects of NE binding to: Effects of NE binding to:
 aa receptors is generally stimulatoryreceptors is generally stimulatory
 bb receptors is generally inhibitoryreceptors is generally inhibitory
►A notable exception – NE binding to A notable exception – NE binding to bb receptors of receptors of
the heart is stimulatorythe heart is stimulatory

26. Adrenergic ReceptorsAdrenergic Receptors
►Norepinephrine produces its effects by Norepinephrine produces its effects by
combining with adrenergic receptorscombining with adrenergic receptors
Alpha Alpha
Beta Beta

27. Adrenergic Receptors Adrenergic Receptors
►Found in:Found in:
Cardiovascular Cardiovascular
Endocrine Endocrine
Gastrointestinal Gastrointestinal
Genitourinary Genitourinary
Respiratory Respiratory
Ocular Ocular

28. Alpha ReceptorsAlpha Receptors
►Alpha 1: adrenergic receptors located on Alpha 1: adrenergic receptors located on
postsynaptic effector cells.postsynaptic effector cells.
Smooth muscles of blood vessels: ConstrictionSmooth muscles of blood vessels: Constriction
►Arteriolar constrictionArteriolar constriction
Bladder sphincterBladder sphincter
PenisPenis
Uterus Uterus
 Pupillary muscles of irisPupillary muscles of iris

29. Alpha 2Alpha 2
►Same as the Alpha 1 but are located in the Same as the Alpha 1 but are located in the
presynaptic nerve terminals.presynaptic nerve terminals.

30. Adrenergic ReceptorAdrenergic Receptor
►Beta 1Beta 1
►CardiovascularCardiovascular
Cardiac muscle: increased contractilityCardiac muscle: increased contractility
increased force of contraction increased force of contraction
Atrioventricular node: increased heart rateAtrioventricular node: increased heart rate
Sinoatrial node: increase in heart rateSinoatrial node: increase in heart rate
►EndocrineEndocrine
PancreasPancreas

31. Beta 1 DrugsBeta 1 Drugs
►Predominately works on vascular smooth Predominately works on vascular smooth
muscle of the heart.muscle of the heart.

32. Adrenergic ReceptorAdrenergic Receptor
►Beta 2Beta 2
►CardiovascularCardiovascular
Dilation of blood vesselsDilation of blood vessels
►EndocrineEndocrine
►Uterine relaxationUterine relaxation
►Respiratory: dilation of bronchial musclesRespiratory: dilation of bronchial muscles

33. HeartHeart
►Direct stimulation of receptorsDirect stimulation of receptors
Alpha 1 – Alpha 1 –
►Vasoconstriction of blood vessels which increases Vasoconstriction of blood vessels which increases
blood pressureblood pressure
►Pressor or vasopressor effect to maintain blood Pressor or vasopressor effect to maintain blood
pressurepressure
Beta 1Beta 1
►Increased force of myocardial contraction Increased force of myocardial contraction
►Increased speed of electrical conduction in the heart.Increased speed of electrical conduction in the heart.

34. Sympathetic vs parasympathetic Sympathetic vs parasympathetic
►Distribution on different organsDistribution on different organs
►Actions on different organsActions on different organs
►Drugs acting on receptors Drugs acting on receptors
►Reflexes in different systems Reflexes in different systems

35. Sympathetic vs parasympathetic Sympathetic vs parasympathetic
►Distribution on different organsDistribution on different organs

36. Fig. 9.6Fig. 9.6

37. Sympathetic (Thoracolumbar) Sympathetic (Thoracolumbar)
DivisionDivision
►Preganglionic cell bodies in lateral Preganglionic cell bodies in lateral
horns of spinal cord T1-L2: horns of spinal cord T1-L2:
thoracolumbarthoracolumbar
►Preganglionic axons pass through Preganglionic axons pass through
ventral roots to ventral roots to whitewhite rami rami
communicantescommunicantes to the to the
retroperitoneal retroperitoneal sympathetic sympathetic
chain gangliachain ganglia

38. Parasympathetic (Craniosacral) Parasympathetic (Craniosacral)
DivisionDivision
►Preganglionic cell bodies in Preganglionic cell bodies in
nuclei of brainstem or lateral nuclei of brainstem or lateral
parts of spinal cord gray matter parts of spinal cord gray matter
from S2-S4from S2-S4
Preganglionic axons from Preganglionic axons from
brain pass to terminal brain pass to terminal
ganglia through cranial ganglia through cranial
nerves III, VII, IX and Xnerves III, VII, IX and X
Preganglionic axons from Preganglionic axons from
sacral region pass through sacral region pass through
pelvic nervespelvic nerves to terminal to terminal
gangliaganglia
►Terminal gangliaTerminal ganglia located located
near organ innervated or near organ innervated or
embedded in wall of organembedded in wall of organ

41. Sympathetic vs parasympathetic Sympathetic vs parasympathetic
►Actions on different organsActions on different organs

43. Sympathetic vs parasympathetic Sympathetic vs parasympathetic
►Drugs acting on receptors Drugs acting on receptors

44. Parasympathetic
Sympathetic

48. salbutamol

49. Sympathetic vs parasympathetic Sympathetic vs parasympathetic
►Reflexes in different systems Reflexes in different systems

50. ANS reflexesANS reflexes
►CVS: CVS:
baroreceptor reflexbaroreceptor reflex
Control of heart rateControl of heart rate
chemoreceptor reflexchemoreceptor reflex
►GIT: GIT:
GIT secretions and motility GIT secretions and motility
►Other:Other:
Urinary bladder controlUrinary bladder control
Sexual reflexesSexual reflexes
SweatingSweating
Other visceral reflexes Other visceral reflexes

51. Exception Exception
– –
adrenal medulla adrenal medulla

52. 52
Adrenal glandsAdrenal glands
On top of kidneysOn top of kidneys
Adrenal medulla Adrenal medulla
(inside part) is a (inside part) is a
major organ of major organ of
the sympathetic the sympathetic
nervous systemnervous system

53. 53
Adrenal gland is an exceptionAdrenal gland is an exception
►Synapse in glandSynapse in gland
►Can cause body-wide Can cause body-wide
release of epinephrine release of epinephrine
(adrenaline) and (adrenaline) and
norepinephrine norepinephrine
(noradrenaline) in an (noradrenaline) in an
extreme emergencyextreme emergency
(adrenaline “rush” or (adrenaline “rush” or
surge)surge)

54. Innervation Innervation
Ach

55. Another exception - Sweat Another exception - Sweat
glands glands
►The sweat glands are innervated by the sympathetic The sweat glands are innervated by the sympathetic
nervous system (part of the fight or flight response nervous system (part of the fight or flight response
system)system)
►Preganglionic neuron is short, originates from the Preganglionic neuron is short, originates from the
thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord, uses thoracolumbar region of the spinal cord, uses
acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter (nicotinic )acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter (nicotinic )
►Postganglionic neuron for sweat gland innervation Postganglionic neuron for sweat gland innervation
differs from other sympathetic postganglionic neurons differs from other sympathetic postganglionic neurons
in that it releases acetylcholine to act on muscarinic in that it releases acetylcholine to act on muscarinic
receptorsreceptors

57. Another exception – skeletal Another exception – skeletal
muscle blood vessels muscle blood vessels
►These are also innervated by sympathetic These are also innervated by sympathetic
cholinergic fibres cholinergic fibres

58. 58
Summary